Most Wanted Vintage Stereo Pieces Today

In this week's video, Kevin goes over the most wanted pieces of vintage audio that we get from our customers, from receivers to speakers.
Did any of your most desired vintage stereo items make the list? Let us know in the comments.
Good news for our international viewers! You can now order a few of our items on our eBay store. Here is the link: tinyurl.com/5fs7wmke
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[@skylabsaudio]

Beware of the scammer, please! We will not ask you to contact us outside of KZbin!

[@giuseppevitucci4641]

Thank you for the heads up.

[@Zulonix]

I almost fell for one of those scams. Except that I told them I don't give out personal information for fear of scams. That put that to bed. ;-)

[@clemsonbloke]

You forget DCM Speakers, they sorta went toe to toe with Cerwin Vega. My DCM KX-12 Series II speakers still will rock and not only that but their surrounds have never rotted, they have that rubber surround that has some sort of coated stuff. Anyway, those speakers are every bit as good as the Vegas if not even better.

[@matsnewo7379]

Yamaha htr5630 drive infinity sl20 book shelf speakers, yamha is capable of theater sound in 5.02 dolby,but I use it in stero mode plating old vinyl, I find remote control a really conventional feature, my turntable pioneer from early 70,s ...

[@MYshamanEYE]

I have 2 pioneer sx 850's new in the box unopened ,.. what should they sell for?

[@hondaphan4172]

I'm sure I can speak for most of your subscribers when I say I come here to be entertained and learn a great deal in the process, but the biggest reason why I keep coming back is your relaxing delivery. It's very therapeutic and thanks for that.

[@rockyo59]

Thank God for playback speed 2

[@NavinBetamax]

@@rockyo59 hope KZbin Extra Premium upgrade has Mach 2 !!! Lol !

[@TayWoode]

@@rockyo59I’ve just tried it on 2x, that’s for people who like loud shouty voices, jump cuts every 3 seconds, zoom in and outs, cartoon sfx, wacky music to keep their short attention spans watching

[@powerseostrategy]

I have a great find. I found a tube Mcintosh stereo amp at a garage sale for $20 and works great!

[@jjr007]

I thought that a McIntosh amp would be on the list.

[@roypublic3269]

I have a Mcintosh 1900 receiver that sits under a blanket upstairs in storage. Parent's bought it new when I was growing up. Pristine. I'm surprised Mcintosh wasn't mentioned either. Also have a box of LNIB tubes, with 8 6550's from the early 1970's RCA and Tung Sol bottle tops.

[@skoffco]

What model?

[@powerseostrategy]

MC-240@@skoffco

[@powerseostrategy]

It's an MC240@@skoffco

[@BG-mr5xv]

I was a stereo salesman at Tech Hi Fi in the 70 s , Fun to see the stuff I was selling still sells!

[@marklillisportrait]

Springfield MA area?

[@BG-mr5xv]

@@marklillisportrait AnnArbor , Michigan

[@ferdburful6352]

Loved Tech HiFi. The people there were knowledgeable and not pushy just to sell you something. East Lansing Mi

[@magnatarbeing8749]

​@@marklillisportraitThere was a Tech High Fi store on Rt9 in Natick, Mass.

[@EfficientRVer]

The Tech HiFi that I remember was in Cambridge, MA. It was on my walk between MIT and Father's Fore bar. But I did my actual buying at K&L Sound in Watertown, where I got a demo pair of Ohm G for $200/pair the moment their Washington's Birthday sale opened (I think at 6am) in 1977. Ohm tells me that they may be the oldest original, operable pair of Ohm G out there, though I must admit the foam at the bottom of the shiny titanium cones, isn't in great shape. So volume must be kept somewhat low to keep them from self destructing. Someday, I'll get the latest/greatest modern drivers for them. I wish I'd done that when it was under $1000.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Kevin, an old high school (1980) friend is visiting and we watched this. Then we reminisced for an hour or so about our systems back then, I showed him the stuff I still have including albums, turntables, receiver and a Discwasher with D2 fluid. Thanks for jogging those memories.

[@KameraShy]

I still have my Discwasher, but wouldn't use the fluid now.

[@thejerseyj5479]

Oh, how I miss our record playing parties back in the 70's. A bunch of us would gather at our friends apartment and listen to our favorite records on Saturday nights. He had a Marantz receiver, Technics turntable, and speakers that were like 5 feet tall, (I forget the brand). We would "donate" LP's to his collection and then when we would gather, he would DJ. The amazing thing is that he was legally blind with like 20/100 vision but would find our request and cue it up on the turntable in a flash, perfectly, first time every time. Four early twenties couples, music, dancing, weed, beer, and...LOVE! ✌️

[@raygarafano3633]

Nuthin wrong with that!

[@CaptainDarrick]

😅😅 ' love ' ? You mean fornicating...

[@garybrinker4522]

Well,, my generation started all that fun 😎

[@NavinBetamax]

@@garybrinker4522 ...now, you are being selfish......!

[@garybrinker4522]

@@NavinBetamax Heard it before,,thanks 😀

[@RedLeo-pf9yo]

I’m 52 and these receivers bring back wonderful memories. They still look totally awesome.

[@mjh5437]

I`m 60 and feel the same,they`re beautiful and sound fantastic.

[@uncledoug9934]

I bought a Pioneer SX 1050 new in 1977 with a pair of HPM100 speakers. It was the jizz back then. Still using it!

[@rickj1983]

I'm fortunate to own a Pioneer SX-980. Love this stereo and bought it new in 1977. Built my own speakers in high school, walnut veneer cabinets with 12" woofer, dome midrange and dome tweeter. Those speakers would handle anything that Pioneer threw at them and they sounded great.

[@jmad627]

I have the baby brother, SX-780, and I love it.

[@hobbified]

I had an SX-737, which is a bit less high end but it was still quite nice. I sold it off because I was poor and I didn't have space. Nowadays I'm not poor... I still don't have space for all my crap... but I kind of miss that Pioneer.

[@secondaryunit]

I’ve owned 5 980s. One of my favorites, In fact I have one in my garage. Picked it up cheap and it is on the rougher side but sounds amazing.

[@SylvesterCarl]

I have a 680. Bought it new in 78 (?) Needs a power button. Kicks ass for a little amp.

[@toadstrangler9474]

Just curious, what speakers did you end up putting in the cabinets?

[@lmfarms4611]

Thank you, you brought tears to my eye's. In the 70's I lived in Tokyo Japan. There was a place down town where you could buy any and everything you wanted. The stereo's where stacked so high. Good times

[@jerryrichmond4707]

I have a mint condition Marantz 2230 which I bought new in early 1976 and it has been professionally serviced twice for minor things. It still kicks butt! Nothing like the warmth of a Marantz receiver. I installed LED bulbs a couple of years ago and a custom black faceplate. It looks as good as it sounds!

[@martinjohn7680]

Not mint

[@WeazelJaguar]

I lost my 2252B due to a break in, boooo! If I ever see another one in a pawn shop, I'll buy It!

[@thejerseyj5479]

A black faceplate on a vintage Marantz... Heresy!

[@rogerthat.9105]

@@WeazelJaguar. If you ever seen one in the pawnshop, it’ll probably be your original….😎

[@jakekot1351]

I'm iffy on LED bulbs on a vintage unit. I understand why people do it but not a fan. I have 1960's tube units & the bulbs are still good.

[@kenflack1163]

I still have and play my SX980 PIONEER receiver. I bought it in 1978 . I also bought 4 Cerwin Vega speakers! The speakers are long gone but the receiver still kicks!!! Great to see these items still rocking as vintage icons!

[@miranriznar]

It's amazing, how beautiful pieces of hi-fi equipment the factories used to produce...

[@sushibar777]

I had a Sansui 8080dB. It was a great receiver. Just spinning the selector knob was an experience. Beautiful dark walnut case, excellent face graphics. Mated with Bose 901s and the sound was perfect.

[@tomb.8485]

I had the Sansui 9090dB. I loved that receiver. Sadly mice ruined it when it was in storage.

[@adotintheshark4848]

I had the 9090DB, and it sounded very nice and also looked great!

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

Yeah sansui were a bit of a sleeper over here in oz, not many around.

[@charlesforrest7678]

Are the 9090db worth anything?

[@adotintheshark4848]

I sold mine 10 years ago for $500. Wish I'd have kept it, they're worth more now. @@charlesforrest7678

[@marshallohio5512]

I got the stereo bug in early 80s while in the Service overseas. I purchased various maker's recievers, equalizers, reel to reel, cassette players, and the list goes on. Much of my stuff are in custom built rack shelves behind a double lock door room. The gear boxes are as clean as the day purchased. Wife and kids (kids all moved on) knew i was dead serious in them never ever tell anyone what i own .. 😅

[@CrawfishBoil]

Just remembered that I have an old Sansui G-7000 sitting in my storage unit that my Dad handed down to me back in the day. I always thought it was an awesome unit with good power, but I had no idea anyone was still interested in these. Good to know! Thanks, man!

[@sandraslutz9489]

I restored a Harmon Kardon 730 and 930 from the 70s. There are none better. Twin power and discreet components makes for pure sound.

[@pastisi]

I have a twin powered Harmon kardon 730 I bought 1976 and they are solid.

[@jeffrot7334]

My father bought the 730 new and gave it to me after his stroke several years ago. It needed servicing/restoring but I knew it's potential from my teens (sounded so good back in the 80's when I was really getting into music) so I felt honored that he gave it to me but never did take it for servicing. Our family lost him on Christmas Eve a few weeks ago so I'm eager to get it up to snuff again, but also feel anxious about it leaving to get repaired being the emotional connection. I'm looking around the Raleigh, NC area for someone reputable and reasonable to give it the look through that it deserves.

[@dval59valletta79]

Still have my Pioneer sx750 and my Technics 1200. Bought them in 1977/78 and they still work !

[@averyprice9422]

Technic 1200 are tanks... I owned to MK3 and I sold them for really cheap. One if the things I've regretted. Right after I sold them they said they were not gonna make them anymore and the market shot up so much

[@jakesdekker7503]

Back in the day (1980’s) I had a full stack of NAD components linked to 5’ high Waferdale speakers that weighted a ton. I felt like a KING. I remember one specific time when it blew a sliding door clear out of its tracks! 😁

[@ronmcmartin4513]

NAD & Wharfedale still make great sounding stuff today for classical & jazz.

[@sneakyfox4651]

I'm on my second NAD amp (bought in 2000). I also have a NAD FM tuner, but I live in a black FM-hole, so no reception, even with an active FM-antenna. And my NAD CD-player won't accept CD's anymore but just opens the tray again when I close it. However, I celebrated New Year by buying a refurbished NAD cassette deck to play my old tapes. I use two-way B&W speakers with the NADs Oh, and the Rega entry model for my records.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@sneakyfox4651--To me, that's a step beyond most vintage stuff(which is the memory of Fuzzy Reverb), and into the beginnings of "High End".

[@sneakyfox4651]

@@ronmcmartin4513 The cassette deck? Well, I got a MiniDisk along with the NADs back then, intending to transfer my best tapes and record live off the radio. But it got too cumbersome compared to using the cassette deck, so I only got to record a few live shows. But now I have moved forward to the past and play my tapes again, including some quite rare Russian tapes (Kino and Victor Tsoi) By the way: My first HiFi was a Hitachi set, receiver, cassette deck, and turntable. Good old stuff from right around 1980.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@sneakyfox4651--CDs to cassette or burn a CD would be easier for your car, but why? My first "HiFi" was a Sony ST7065, Teac A-450 cassette, Sony direct-drive turntable(unknown), and pair of speakers from a guy who built speakers for a living. I changed the wiring inside to Monster Cable; it didn't make that much of a difference. Then I got a Real job, and High-End audio became somewhat of an obsession(vacuum tubes, vinyl, etc). I still play mostly vinyl(80% classical, 15% jazz & 5% the rest). Rarely headphones, streaming or CDs. Cheap CDs on a cheap player sound much better than cheap vinyl on a cheap player. Midrange price($1000), with better equipment sounds about the same. $5000 to Infinity & Beyond!, vinyl is better.

[@dcole7092]

In my day it was Marantz McIntosh Yamaha and Pioneer. I still have all my original top of the line equipment and their boxes. Yamaha receiver, turn table,. Nakamich Dragon cassette player, Yamaha NS1000 monitors. Dual walnut cabnet, subwoofer and equalizer. Everything works perfectly. The sound is unbelievable to youth today. The goal in my day was if you closed your eyes you would think the musicians were playing there in your room. Often I was like the maxwell ads...sitting in my chair absorbed in the music.

maxwell ads were for coffee. Maxell ads were for tape.

[@MrSimplesimon007]

The vintage equipment has real character, I'm after a few tuners the accuphase t106 and pioneer tx9800 the pioneer will go in what's the start of a vintage system, the accuphase will go in my main system, marantz pm11s3, sa7s1 sacd and monitor audio studio 50 in piano black, I have the st15 dab unit but it's not so sensitive, and the area I live in renders it quite useless..

[@beitie]

...and here I am, collecting one of the most un-desired brands of audio, Bang & Olufsen. Though I also own some pretty cool Pioneer gear, but I really love my B&O and the magic of those systems is a huge part of what draws me in.

[@scoTTlarock225]

B&O is amazing! Don’t let the haters get you down man ✊

[@user-dq5xx9hi4q]

I was introduced to them by seeing their fancy ad's in playboy mags. ;-) Very unique looking "Sharper Image" type of hardware. Never really wanted one though.

[@frequentlycynical642]

Back in the late 1970's I knew a coup[le, poor as church mice....but they bought B&O stuff.

[@Jethr001]

I had a B&O 3000 turntable…always wanted the 7000.

[@beitie]

@@Jethr001 I'm currently looking for a Beogram 7000 as well. I have the Beomaster 7000, and Beogram CD 7000. I plan on using that system with my Beolab 4000's Mk II's. I'm also restoring a Beocenter 9500 that will eventually replace my Beocenter 9000. I'm a Beo nut.

[@prigs750]

Great video. Glad to see the vintage stereo stuff being recognized for how great they were. I still have my Pioneer SX9000 paired with my Pioneer CS77a speakers. Bought them in 71 while stationed overseas. Still sound great

[@gsmith1213]

I recall in the 70's going out with my dad buying my first component system. Receiver, speakers, turntable and eventually cassette system. Great experience

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Radioshack was so awesome back then.

[@CrazyStraightWhiteBoomerDude]

I reenlisted in 1977 and use a chunk of my reenlistment bonus to purchase my first stereo component system from the Navy Exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines. I was like a kid in a toy store with a $100 bill!

[@boomer3150]

@@TheAgentAssassin So were Musicraft and Pacific Stereo.

[@raygarafano3633]

Hey! Sounds Kool. I bet he wanted it more than u did! Glad u had a gr8 experience with ur Dad.

[@mbilden]

Same, except for me in was in the early 80's for the family room.

[@T_Burd_75]

My favorite piece of equipment that I own is an old Technics by Panasonic SA-80. I was out junking one day and heading down one side street, I saw an old man put this old receiver on top of his trash can. I stopped and ask him what was wrong with it and he said it sat for a long time and when he hooked it up, one channel wasn't working. I said I would look at it and took it home. Found out that all that was wrong was dirty contacts in the input selector. I cleaned up all the contacts and it's been working perfectly ever since. It doesn't put out huge amounts of wattage, but it sounds so sweet. And the AM/FM tuner really pulls in weak stations nicely and it has a meter that shows signal strength.

[@JeffN-A]

Always learn from your vids. Again ...your relaxing style always brings me back. I wish everyone today was as laid back with life. Keep on doing these!

[@skylabsaudio]

😊 thank you

[@anthonymalovrh2912]

Harmon-Kardon - sweet sounding receivers.

[@pastisi]

Still have my 730. Yes they are sweet.

[@timothyhollmann8571]

Had a 530, loved it but traded up to an integrated Carver Amp to push my Bose 901 s.

[@kevinsmythers7784]

That was nice trip down memory lane, Thanks. I worked as a service engineer for Marantz UK in the early 80s, saw a lot of their receivers, amps, turntables and speakers. Was also lucky enough to own a few of their items up until the late 2000s. Thought about rebuilding a system, but current prices are just too high for the amount of use they'd get from me now. So, currently refurbishing a slightly damaged Leak Delta 70 with a Sony Belt drive TT and Sony speakers. All of them were acquired through Freecycle network at a total cost of only UK£10 - quite a bargain :-)

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Back in the early 1980s...I had a pair of Realistic Mach 1 speakers from Radio Shack. Used them for DJ'ing. Wish I still had them.

[@cle-chi]

my dad had them also around the same time. They Rocked!!! loved those Horn Mids & Tweets

[@elsalva8337]

I still have my 35 year old kenwood. It runs like a champ 👌

[@jamesocker5235]

Ka 3500 still kickin

[@robertwolf3969]

Have a 40 year old Yamaha. Works like it's new.

[@Mark-EFMB-Combat-Medic]

Yes sir, I had Klipsch KG 4's which I purchased in 1985 from a US Army Post Exchange while stations in Nuremburg West Germany. I had them for roughly thirty years and eventually sold them to a collector for more than I purchased them for. I kept them in near pristine condition, so they sold within hours of listing them online. The guy that purchased them planned on connecting them to an old tube amp. Like you, I really enjoyed them.

[@RichardFriendartist]

I have my dads JBL L100 and his Marantz 2265. As a kid. I was always so impressed by the sound and I asked him a few years back if he still had them. He did and gave them to me!

[@rondeshazo7198]

What a dad!

[@zerofrindz]

Very 😎

[@lauriesinclair5783]

I inherited my brother’s Pioneer SX 1050. He bought it in high school along with other components (teac tape deck, turntable, etc.)and built a walnut cabinet for everything. Just now hooking it all up and getting ready to jam some Van Halen in his honor. 👍

[@realbogus]

I have my system from HS still... realistic sta-2080 and the lab-420 turn table. Still going strong after 42 years!!

[@Mr512austintexas]

I've got a Pioneer SX-1010 and a Pioneer SX-1250, and I love 'em both. I swap them out every once in awhile, and they're both just great sounding receivers that sound great through my Large Advents. The 70's really were a golden age for stereo gear.

[@cohoanglervancouverwa6755]

100% correct. I can't agree more. The 1970's had the best stereo equipment that was ever produced. I still have my Klipsch Hersey II speakers and Carver receiver. Lots of new technology nowadays, but the quality of the sound still depends on the quality of the speaker. Nothing made today compares to what was produced in the 70's.

[@tillross4078]

I too have the 1250 ,, 🤓

[@Mr512austintexas]

Congratulations on that! I know I'll never need to buy another receiver, and I get so much enjoyment out of my system every single day. You just can't do better than a Pioneer SX-1250. 👍@@tillross4078

[@mk-421]

I've owned a few of the SX receivers and by far my favorites were the 1250 and 1010. The 1250 for, not only its sound and power, but its impeccable build quality. My tech guy said they're a dream to work on because you can still get parts, and everything was placed well within the unit itself. Apparently Pioneer took their time with the design of the 1250, giving a "tip of the hat" to its engineering. And then the 1010 has a wizard like magic to its sound that just makes for an incredible listening experience. I regret selling mine.

[@greenbeans575]

​@@cohoanglervancouverwa6755Did you notice that we, of a certain generation, call it stereo "equipment", but many younger people call it "gear"? I think of gear as sporting equipment. Ha!

[@MrG9002]

I have that Maxell poster also, sitting under it right now. I don't have the L100's but I do have the L112's. Love that sound. Keep up the good work.

[@blairwooten8019]

I started out with a Pioneer SX 950 receiver and a PL 71 direct drive turntable (Shure V15 type IV cartridge). I also bought a pair of Jensen Spectrum Series 550 Speakers. I still have the receiver and turntable. I really wish they still made the same level of quality today as they did back then. Over time I built a collection of Original Master Recordings, even today I prefer vinyl to other sources.

[@scrout]

My 1976 college intro to stereo gear was from a ex military classmate's system. Pioneer receiver, ESS AMT 1's, Philips 212 turntable. Big TEAC reel to reel too.

[@chuckbeavers5125]

Hi i had a 212 turn table also and loved it. It was the best😊

[@MarkRDKing]

Love the clips that your team puts in the videos.!! Vintage audio rocks!!!.I bought shag carpeting to complete my set up. I have Marantz tape deck(I collect vintage Walkman's)..Sony 7045 and Heathkit speakers with original 1972 grills!. All perform like new. I honestly never thought I would have ever assembled my audio dream at 56years old of equipment from 1975 and before!! LONG LIVE VINTAGE AUDIO

[@ripjones5294]

I built several display items for the Heathkit store in Atlanta, and actually owned a pair of Heathkit speakers too ! It amazed me that Heathkit actually sold a kit version of Altec-Lancing speakers, in the day. Wish I still had mine. Enjoy them...

[@daniannaci3258]

@@ripjones5294I just serviced a pair of those beastly Heathkit/Altec speakers. Drivers were fine, the crossover needed a complete rebuild, though…

[@daniannaci3258]

Ooo. Really impressed with my “new” Sony STR-7045 receiver I bought from a gentleman moving into a retirement home. Cosmetically mint, it was in a closed cabinet since 1973. Worked perfectly on power-up (dim bulb), only switches rarely used needed cleaning. I went ahead and replaced every electrolytic cap in there, I think there were 28. Gratifyingly, every single original cap measured at or above specification, a tribute to good, conservative design. But those caps were 50+ years old…I did the LED thing though. The green lighting makes it glow like a 1950’s Technicolor Sci-Fi movie. Too cool.

[@ripjones5294]

@@daniannaci3258 -- eBay popped up a seller that has a bunch of really cool vintage speakers, including a set of the real Altec speakers we were talking about. When I saw this, I thought about this discussion you and were having. If I had a really big great room, I would truly love to have/buy these. While they were looking for a completely different "sound", I wonder how a set of Altec versus a set of Klipsch Heritage would compare -- old version versus old version. Damn, I still want that altec pair...

[@giuseppevitucci4641]

Kevin, glad to see you're doing well with your business. I really enjoy your channel. I have a few of the pieces you mentioned. I collected for a while then kids, family, & life got in the way. I do have a few more I hope to acquire in the not so distant future. My grown kids think I'm foolish. It's "Dad, dump the junk so we don't have to". My bucket list is short, Sansui 9090, Pioneer CT-9191, & perhaps the SX-1250. I'm at a point I already have more than I need so if happens fine, if not fine. Take Care, Joe

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Joe, I have 3 CT-F9191 that are in extremely nice condition. All have been serviced within the last 2 years at Inner Sound in Clakamas Oregon. I have one original Pioneer box as well.

[@giuseppevitucci4641]

Wow, good to know.... Thank you.@@insolentstickleback3266

[@MangosVinylCuts]

9090 db owner here. the sound is so very very sweet.

[@giuseppevitucci4641]

Nice, I have no doubt. Good Luck with the your 9090. I came close, real close a few years back, I was a day late. I know where to get one in my area but the cost is way too high. My wife would through me & the receiver out. Don't ever let yours go. I have a Marantz 2325, sounds nice but I would give the 9090 the edge from what folks who know better than I tell me.

[@patlatorres7000]

I have a pair of Herseys that I first picked up some twenty plus years ago That I still love. They handle Rock, classical and everything in between -- at low volume or rattling the windows. Just GREAT speakers.

[@adsph]

A great list Kevin. Appreciate your efforts as always.

[@billthomas8994]

Thanks for the time travel! Reminds me of the time I bought a Marantz 2215B for less than $200 new in 1977 when I was 17 years old. Also bought a Pioneer 112D entry-level turntable with an AudioTechnica cart. With quality headphones I discovered high fidelity

[@arcsound]

Me, too. Started with the Marantz 1030, another 15WPC machine, back in H.S. I wanted a Marantz 510M, but it was all I could afford at the time.

[@CrazyStraightWhiteBoomerDude]

My father brought home a Marantz 2220 Stereo Receiver after his last tour in Vietnam in 1973. It was a remarkable piece of audio equipment for it's time and I'm sad that I lost it in a very, very bloody divorce back in 2008.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

I'm sorry for your loss. The Marantz, NOT your blood sucking wife! I hear ya! Someone I know had a Marantz power amplifier and Yamaha speakers. They were stolen in a break in. This was when he was living downtown.

[@CarlosChavez-gs1ld]

Excellent! I owned the Pioneer SX-1080 RCVR for 25 years. I NEVER made the switch to "Home Theater" just because that thing rocked so much. It's tuner was very exotic and expensive- with specs that EXCEEDED that of the famous Crown FM1. I put a dual dipole in my attic and got every FM station within a few hundred miles. That thing was in a league all it's own. The ONE issue it had, was the way the amplifier was made- custom dual output transistor packs, the damping factor was on the low side. When you would drive big woofers at high volumes, they would dance all over the place. I later switched to a huge pro-audio amp for my subs- it had MANY output transistors per push/pull side- high damping factor- the bass was much tighter- the 15's and later 18's would hardly move- total control. I was often asked what those small pieces of plastic below the glass were for. Even in the 1980's digital presets on FM receivers were the norm. Into the later 2000's, I would show people that those pieces of plastic slide along the length.. and are used to mark your FM stations. Then they would give me this look like I was out of my mind. Between the dual tape deck and duplicate function and pre-amp OUT/IN, you could easily insert the rcvr into a chain of other audio devices, and use the duplicate function to insert an EQ into the signal as well- that was really nice. I ended up using that rcvr for Pro-Audio work on many occasions. 120W per channel into some efficient mid or mid-high horns is all you need to blow somebody's head clean off. Ahhhhh, the memories..... the calls to the local police dept. Ha Ha Ha.....

[@strothermartin5368]

I have the Morse Stereo model No.77. It's over 40 years old. Still works great.

[@ph4rddesciple719]

When I was a long haired punk in the late 70's, I bought my first stereo for cheap. Sansui receiver and Advent Speakers. Unfortunately for my neighbors, Those speakers could run at 100 per cent volume and no distortion forever. I think that Sansui was a good investment. Best speakers I have ever owned. Still have vintage Advent speakers and they sound great...just sayin'...

[@tonystevenson26]

I had 12 inch Advents in the 70s....sounded beautiful...is there anything comparable today I wonder ....

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

I've only had one system. Used some reenlistment bonus once to buy a Marantz Gold system ( I don't recall model numbers). Receiver, turntable, dual cassette deck, 2 floor speakers. It looked beautiful and sounded better. Played a lot of ZZ TOP, Led Zeppeplin, and Black Sabbath on it while learning guitar. Had an tour overseas, and sadly, it was gone when I got back. Fair winds and following seas to all.

[@RottenAnimal]

I have a Harman Kardon 430 I bought new. It's still sounds great and is in mint condition.

[@jayurban8282]

“It happens to all of us” at 8:55, Truer words have never been spoken.

[@voodoocars2134]

I bought a JVC separate stack system in a glass front cabinet circa 8 years ago on eBay (UK) for £110. It still had the blue film on the aluminium and original receipt from 1982 for £599. That was a chunk of money back then. Since then I’ve bought a few different vintage JVC units. Playing vinyl loudly at home is just unbeatable.

[@OS_SWE]

Yey! My receiver made no 1! Couldn't be happier with it. Sounds just wonderful. Wish I had the wood cabinet for it though.

[@bartleytucker6316]

Vintage HiFi Audio will make one for you. Totally worth it. Got one for my Marantz 2252B in walnut.

[@buzztp5119]

Wish I still had my SounDesign for the 80's.

[@NickKemp897]

A few years back, while at the local dump, I spotted a receiver. Into the truck it went. It is now set up and ready for use. After watching your video, I checked and sure enough it is a Marantz 2270. Your video made my day. Now if I could go back and find a wood case for it. I love the look of the old wood cases.

[@donhughes6192]

I am really surprised that high quality equipment like McIntosh was not mentioned. I am the original owner of the Mac MR-77 Tuner, C-28 Preamp and a MC-2105 Amp as well as the JBL L-100 speakers mentioned. Judging by EBay, they are worth many times what I originally paid for them.

[@lewisf9266]

Have same system. Since early 70s. Happy with them still today

[@ricksmith4736]

Once you go Mac you never go back....

[@brentchattin6081]

I think McIntosh is in a separate category by itself

[@brentchattin6081]

I think McIntosh is in a separate category by itself

[@brentchattin6081]

I think McIntosh is in a separate category by itself

[@raygarafano3633]

I'd also say a Kenwood KR6600 is very nice, good inputs and 54 or 56 a channel.

[@RollingLiving]

Here's my comment...it's definitely going to be a fun one. 🙂 I enjoy all of your videos and this was, truly, a fun one. My first speakers, back in 1979 or 1980, were a pair of Heresys...which I used to DJ a lot of college parties. I became a fan and even, later in life, drove to Hope Arkansas to tour the Klipsch factory and meet Paul Klipsch and his wife, Valerie. I've owned LaScalas, Heresys (lots), and some of the modern models. Right now, I'm enjoying a pair of Chorus II and (in a smaller room) KG2s. I don't have any of the other items on your list...yet...but one can aspire.

[@jskobe808]

Really enjoy all of your videos. Absolutely love vintage stereo equipment. Such a fun community to engage in. 👍

[@BigMaxGames]

Thanks for a great review. I used to sell audio in Canada in the 70's and I have fond memories. I ended up with a Luxman system and some Onkyo equipment along with a Sony Integrated amp and an old MacIntosh system.

[@MrZoot42]

Luxman R 117 should be on this list.

[@supersportimpalass]

Another iconic ad is the Marantz receiver that was in a fire and advertised to still work. One of my favorite ads next to the Blown Away ad.

[@rotaxtwin]

Ha! I vaguely remember that one.

[@rosssmith8481]

What's the blown away AD?

[@petergraal4671]

The blown away advert was cool because amongst other reasons it featured the lead singer of British Goth group Bauhaus. Pete something. Apparently.

[@avidlisner8748]

​@@petergraal4671 Peter Murphy

[@billthomas8994]

Ha ha! Remember that one. It was so toast that even the plastic bits upfront were melted as recalled

[@JM800]

I remember moving back to Germany 83-85. I worked as a rep for AR. Paul Klipsch came to our Vogelweh store. I guess he was a celebrity to the klipsch fans. I still loved our AR58s regardless of who came in.

[@richie8538]

Excellent feature! In the eastern suburbs of Cleveland OH, we had 3 places that stood out for high end stereo equipment. Audio Warehouse, Tokyo Shapiro, and B-n-B Appliance. Those big Pioneer receivers were the gold standard! My dad had an SX-1250 with RtR column speakers, Infinity speakers with samarium cobalt tweeters, and Fishers with 15 inch woofers from 1972!

[@thedude3132]

I agree with Vivaldi, there are always odd gems that can be found if you know what to look for. This is a very solid list, and one I agree with wholeheartedly. I absolutely love the lower wattage Pioneer receivers, for example, as they punch well above their numbers and are easy to work on given the simpler design. I have not owned ADS speakers, but I always wanted a set, but they were out of reach when I was younger. I would probably lose my mind in the brick and mortar store... well done Skylabs.

[@Mr512austintexas]

My first receiver was a Pioneer SX-525, rated at only 13 watts per channel, but it sounded *great!* driving a pair of "Smaller Advent" speakers. I've been a loyal fan of both Advent and Pioneer ever since, and I'm about to turn 72.

[@LakeNipissing]

A local pawn shop has the JBL L100s with the orange "waffle" grilles for sale, look like new, but for 1,000 CDN$ !! I thought the orange was an odd color choice for the grilles, but it would have fit in with mid to late 1970s decor.

[@archangele1]

I have the JBL 4411 and love them. I still have things like a Marantz 2270 as well as several HH Scott amplifiers and receivers including a 299C, 222C, 340 and 399. The Marantz 2270 sounds amazing through JBL 4411 speakers. The 2270 has an excellent and quiet phono stage and I use mine with a turntable all the time.

[@davekat4680]

…..excellent chat thx 🍻 we all were throwing down back in the day. I miss all my audio gear. Still sitting on allot of vinyl 🎸🏴‍☠️⚡️

[@sly2392]

i have 2 PIONEER SX-1980 RECEIVERS. one that i have used since i purchased the day they came out with no issues at all. and i had the intelligence to purchase one to just keep sealed in its original box which is still put away factory sealed today. i also purchased 4 pair of BIC VENTURI FORMULA 6. in my opinion one of the best speakers ever made and were made in the USA. as with the pioneer SX-1980 that is still sealed i have a pair of the BIC VENTURI FORMULA 6 FACTORY SEALED.

[@rondeshazo7198]

I had some Bic's with my Sansui 881

[@peterdavis8585]

Pioneer 828 receiver, Teac 440 reel to reel, Bose 501 speakers, Gerrard turntable. Bought in 1972 in a PX in southeast Asia.

[@j3157]

How well do you like your Bose 501s? I had a pair in 1987 and they were awesome.

[@peterdavis8585]

Awesome, yes. @@j3157

[@hobocatlawrence]

You are making some really awesome and informative videos ! Love your easy going delivery and nonchalant take on what is currently happening with our 70s gear. I bought a Pioneer SX636 new in 1976 and a set of Jennings Research Contreras pedestals to run it and my PL71 turntable through. Love the sound delivery and power and the system works flawlessly today. Added a 737 about 4 years ago to place in my other home which I picked up at an auction for under 200 bucks. Mint shape, perfect sound quality with 190 watts delivering clarity and power at a bargain rate. Never got the box or the papers with it but that's OK. If I ever need either serviced, I'll be heading your way with them wrapped in a blanket for you to work your magic. Thanks for your level of expertise ~

[@Bbendfender]

Always dreamed of buying a Marantz when I was in my 20's but couldn't afford one. I owned a Pioneer receiver that worked well for me for a number of years. Today I have been able to pick up 4 Marantz receivers at estate and garage sales. My main Marantz today is the 2325. I love vintage stereo stuff.

[@tonybeef1142]

I love my 430 & 730 both recapped 🎉😊

[@tomrudd3271]

I love my Marantz 2500, Pioneer 1980 and Sansui 9001 (quad) receivers. But my favorite is Sansui 1000A receiver. Bought them cheap in late 1990s thru early 2000s. Totally lucked out

[@jmad627]

You did very well. Good for you.

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I have both the Sansui 1000 and 2000 receivers. Bought at the same local Goodwill store months apart for $25 each!

[@brianbumgardner8704]

I still have my Harmon Kardon 430, bought it in 1976. I have kept it clean and never had an issue. It still sounds great.

[@jstar1000]

I have a Kenwood KR 5060 or something like that, I can't remember exactly but I also have an 80s Sony, both are pretty sweet units but out of the three sets of speakers i have JBL, Cerwin Vega and klipsch the smallest pair, the Klipsch KG-2 speakers sound so freaking amazing it just blows my mind every time I listen to them. Something about them that just is magic to my ears, I can hear every instrument so much better then on the other speakers and they are so well balanced with amazing bass.

[@pervertedalchemist9944]

I bought my Harman/Kardon 730 back in 2016. It was affordable compared to now - which go for astronomical prices...and that's just for parts and repair.

[@Oklawolf]

I can still remember walking into the local audio store in 1985 as an eleven year old only to be confronted by a pair of Cerwin Vega 2000-15s being powered by a Carver m1.5t. I think the whole strip mall knew about it when that system was up and running. I wanted those speakers bad at the time, but not so much these days.

[@kencleg7721]

I had a pair Cerwin Vega W pioneer w complete pioneer sound adjustment 2500$ in equipment bought in Germany px nice system sold it in 91 500$

[@adotintheshark4848]

I remember those Carver "cubes". I bought a pair of M500's and bridged each to mono , one for each channel. I played Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" on those. When the cannons shot the lights in the living room would flicker!

[@floodway2955]

Owned a Marantz 1550 bought new way back when. Loved it. Nice

[@trafyknits9222]

My family bought a Marantz Quadraphonic receiver and we thought nothing would ever surpass it. At the time, it was pretty cool.

[@rongrantga]

In the mid seventies I bought a pair of JBL L26 speakers and a Sansui AU-7700 integrated Amp with a belt drive Sansui TT. I later added a TU-7700 tuner. It was by far the cleanest sounding stereo I'd heard. I've upgraded over the years but that system is what I miss most.

[@markw208]

Me too. I had an AU-7900 (pretty much the same). Heavy and impressive that the heatsink on the back went all across

[@jasonblakeley3499]

Good list! Have all other than the 730 twin I have had a couple in the past few years. Enjoy your content I started collecting back in the 70s It's not as bad an addiction as many others Zlol@😊

[@generatorjohn4537]

Came across your channel recently. I bought my first serious stereo system June 1979. It was purchased at a popular company at the time called Tech HiFi. My system (3 pieces)contains a Philips 7851 receiver, Sanyo TP636 TT, pair of Infinity Qa speakers. Found the receipt today, paid $620 plus sales tax. Don't use it too much these days but really appreciate the quality of the components for the price I paid. Nice channel BTW.

[@CaptK-py8rq]

Great vid! I bought my 2270 from CNC Stereo in St. Louis in 1972 for $400.00 plus tax, $418.00, still have the yellow carbon copy receipt. Had the Fischer XP-90's at the time. Blue lights started fading out in the late 90's so a buddy (who knew stereos), came by one day, took it apart, cleaned it and replaced all the lights! All are working still to this day. I'm using speakers I designed and built about thirty years ago, sounds magnificent. My turn table is a Stanton, Kenwood cassette recorder/player, AKAI 8 track recorder/player, Teac reel to reel. All work flawlessly when I rarely use them. Thanks again, enjoyed watching and even more, finding out my Marantz 2270 was number 1!

[@hippydippy]

Good list. The one thing I really expected to see on the list, but wasn't was the Pioneer HPM-100's. Great party speakers.

[@swansong04]

I have 2 pairs that i have had for over 20 years. and still love them .

[@tesmith47]

yep also AR4 bookshelf speakers the first bookshelf that had great bass

[@thePrisoner1000]

I always liked the H.H. Scott (pre-Japan) stuff, tube and transistor separates, and they had fantastic tuners too!

[@devonmoors]

I had a HH Scott record player untill the day I had a person who was interested in a kitten visited me !!

[@markcarlson667]

I have a 881 Sunsui in mint condition and 5200 Zenith Allegra fantastic sound the 881 has plenty of power

[@ohger1]

​@@markcarlson667 People laugh at the Zenith Allegro speakers but the first generation speakers were built in the states and were very good performers - if it was a tuned port speaker you wanted. Later Allegro speakers were just ordinary at best. The ones with the Zenith logo at the tuned port that could be rotated so the speaker could be placed vertically or horizontally were the best ones.

[@adotintheshark4848]

also the very early Fisher tuners..I don't think there were better tuners on the market. I still have a Fisher 80 unit built in 1958, with built in pre-amp. It even makes AM sound hi-fi.

[@thePrisoner1000]

Very true on the Fissher's.@@adotintheshark4848

[@Redfour5]

I saw this and looked and lo and behold my old Harmon Kardon showed up. The twin Series I remember I bought for its touted features of essentially not having to share power for multiple channels and what that did sound wise. I still remember my sisters old classic Pioneer 450. I had a nostalgic feel for it, never having one but wanting one as friends had it. As noted, I remember that they touted separate power sources for the two channels...and I'm likely not even saying that right but My friends and I did put different receivers side by side and it was noticeably superior... Later, I or rather my wife had a Bose system in the early 80's. It was nice but after we broke up, I broke out the Harmon Kardon again in the late 90's and got, first, a Nakamichi five CD Player and it sucked for air compared to the previous single CD player I had (my first) from Sony. So, I got a Harmon Kardon one that was fantastic. As I'm writing, I am wondering if I still have those things in storage. Last time I used that system was in the early 2000's.

[@BD-qq4fn]

What a fantastic post! My father gave me his “old” Sansui receiver and Advent speakers from the 70’s for college (1986). I hooked a Sony Walkman up to the receiver…..and it sounded great! I still remember being worried about the wood housing on the receiver catching fire while jamming Boston, Led Zepplin and Genesis at near max volume. Fantastic memories…..those stereo’s/speakers were tanks!

[@graybeard2113]

I knew multiple people in my dorm in the 70s that blew their Large Advent twitters out with the Boston album.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Excellent video, both happy and a bit dismayed that the HK twin power cat is out of the box. Got my HK 730 several years ago for $350.00. Never letting it go.

[@BullittJon]

Informative, thanks Kevin. I'm a little surprised that for speakers the HPM-100s aren't on this list. Maybe for Part 2?

[@clemmtec9506]

He said that , that is the reques,

[@robertwolf3969]

I would think a B & O Turntable would be more requested. Cause it was usually considered the best.

[@stevefairchild3337]

Just found this channel. I can really appreciate your take on vintage audio. Several years back I went through a stage of buying pioneer receivers. I had a SX-8 that I bought new and it died. So I went shopping on ebay started with the 1080, 1250, 1280 and the daddy sx1980. I think the most I paid was 1300.00 for the 1980. Still running the 1250. I need to get the 1980 serviced it's got a channel that drops in and out. I don't know where to take it, here in PA. area. Oh well I gotta check out the rest of your channel. Keep them coming thanks.

[@ddy3smptr]

Everyone loves the Cerwin Vegas. My friends and I were building car stereos in the late eighties/early nineties and those red foam woofers just screamed BASS baby. There was nothing like a trunk full of 18” monsters

[@losendos8963]

I bought a Yamaha CR-3020 back in the day. 160 wpc and weighed a little over 80 lbs. It was beautiful and I still kick myself for not holding onto it.

[@joeygonzo]

oh no

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

I had the 9th one sold in Canada back in the late '70s. Sold it to get several B2s and a C2.

[@jamestyrer6067]

GREAT VIDEO. BRINGS BACK MEMORIES WHEN I OWNED A PAIR OF L1OO'S HOOKED UP TO A SANSUI 9090 RECIEVER AND DUAL TURNTABLE 😊

[@LizCordero-qj3hk]

Always learning from you keep up the good work you do

[@ronbradshaw7404]

Vintage JBL's grilles were the first selling point i think. They probably had a designer working on grilles designs full time. The colors, the materials, the shapes, were all so appeiling.

[@jheron61]

I have a set of JBl L166 Horizons I really like them and the original grills on them are definitely unique for sure.

[@supersportimpalass]

Everyone always seems to be nuts over the Realistic Mach 1’s but in reality the Mach 2’s are crazy good even comparing the bass to the bigger Cerwin Vegas.

[@aluminumfalcon552]

There are/were a few SX-980’s in my family, definitely hits me right in the childhood as I discovered some of my early music tastes through one of those.

[@michaelhorton6158]

Great vid, what fun. I'm 70 and have been through a lot of stuff over the years... Kudos

[@robertdentel1775]

I thought I knew a lot about vintage audio gear, but I keep learning from your video’s. Thank you!

[@zx7gp]

My G 8000 is my keeper without a doubt.

[@edogle8163]

Hi Kevin I have the 2265B Marantz receiver bought it new in `1978 love it...